[ He squeezes back, crossing his legs in his seat so he doesn't wiggle around in excitement. That would be a little bit embarrassing, even for someone like Yuui. ]
Oh, don't worry. You know how much I like meat anyway, so I'll eat whatever you pick out for me.
[ Yes, he expects Yael to pick something out. He'd like to learn what the other man enjoys eating, after all. ]
[They disappear into a tunnel and the coast disappears along with them, but seeing the beach with Yuui at his side feels different. Inspiring, in a way. How long has it bee since he's done more than gaze wistfully at the beach from beyond his car window?]
Not as often as I used to. It's hard not to miss it.
He has half a mind to smack Yael's leg, but they're still holding hands and he refuses to let go. In fact, he gives Yael's hand a little squeeze. ]
I don't care about how far we walk along the beach. I don't care about swimming or running or doing any of that. You miss it, so I want to go, even if that means we stand near the ocean the whole time.
Nah. I'm afraid I'll break our agreement and hold you.
[He wouldn't let Yuui get anywhere close to shivering out of existence. Still, maybe he should? Look at this smug motherfucker, easing up the instant he gets his way. If only Yael weren't so hopelessly infatuated with him..............]
[ He takes Yael's hand like the dainty little princess that he is, but he's quick to pull it out of his grasp the moment they don't have the car to obscure them easily. ]
But I bet that I'll have plenty for leftovers too.
[Ah. He can deal with not holding hands in public, but before they get too far, Yael pulls him back.]
You don't want to be seen as a couple in public?
[It's a simple, straightforward question without much emotion attached to it on Yael's end. Still, he knows how difficult it may be for Yuui to answer. Regardless, this is something he needs to know.]
That isn't it. I'm not ashamed to be with you, or to be seen with you.
[ He doesn't want Yael to think that for even a second, so he tries to nip that in the bud immediately. ]
I didn't have an easy time before coming to this city. I've been followed, harassed, had things thrown at me... so I avoid doing anything in public without even thinking about it.
[...Right. Yael doesn't have to worry about any of that as a largely typical man. He had no issue entering into a relationship with another man, but there's no shortage of people who would.
Yael can't change the world. He can't stick his middle finger up on Yuui's behalf when the risk of retaliation looms on his mind. He acquiesces in silence, heading off in the direction of the restaurant.]
I get it. Don't think you've offended me.
[It's only a shame that no one is truly free to be their true, unvarnished selves in the eyes of the world.]
Let's enjoy the meal. We can do whatever we want when we're on our own later.
[ Yuui follows, catching up to walk side by side with Yael. He can at least do this much. ]
Alright.
[ As they get to the restaurant proper, Yuui places a hand on Yael's elbow, holding him back for just a second. The look on his face is hard to read, purposefully so. ]
[...He would assure Yuui with a kiss if only he could. It's fine. Truly. Yael would rather behave as if they were friends in public than risk Yuui's personal life or career derailing because the wrong people saw his true self. Yael understands all too well the risks that come with being too open and honest.
Yael pulls open the restaurant door and motions for Yuui to step inside. Placing his hand on his back, it lingers there for a moment.]
Yeah.
[He gets it. Gets Yuui. Following him inside, they're greeted and placed at a booth in a far corner of the restaurant and handed a couple menus. Yael's sat up straight, poking at Yuui's menu to impart him with his vast knowledge of Mediterranean food.]
Order that.
[Vast, vast knowledge. He's pointing at the Horiátiki Salata, a Greek salad with all the typical fixings in addition to black olives and feta cheese. A string bean like Yuui should have no problem with a relatively light dish like this.]
[ That hand lingering on his back just a moment longer than necessary is more than enough assurance for Yuui, to the point that there's a little smile on his face as they head into the restaurant.
Getting comfortable in his side of the booth, his gaze follows Yael's finger. ]
Oh, that looks good. [ Yael has made a very, very good choice. ] What are you getting for yourself?
[ He needs to know since he'll be sneaking food off of that plate. ]
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Italian?
[ He'd make the joke about it being Mexican food but it's probably too soon...
He turns to Yael the moment he gets in too, waiting for the car to turn on before immediately turning the radio to a pop music station. ]
Japanese? American? Egyptian?
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Close. Ever had Mediterranean?
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I've had kebabs, but I haven't really delved into it much. You'll teach me all about it, won't you?
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Of course. Just don't expect a ton of vegetarian options.
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Oh, don't worry. You know how much I like meat anyway, so I'll eat whatever you pick out for me.
[ Yes, he expects Yael to pick something out. He'd like to learn what the other man enjoys eating, after all. ]
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[He'll save the sexual innuendo for after the meal. As they make their way through early evening traffic, Yael tips his chin towards the coast.]
How often do you go to the beach?
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Yuui turns his head where Yael gestures, humming softly in thought as his thumb brushes along the back of his hand. ]
Not very often. Do you? I know you like the outdoors.
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Not as often as I used to. It's hard not to miss it.
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Let's make a stop on the way back. The beach is pretty at night, isn't it?
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[Really? Yael looks at his bum leg as if to say you sure this is the guy you want to stroll on the beach with?]
If you're not expecting to go too far, that's fine, but don't let me hold you back.
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[ Don't piss him off!!
He has half a mind to smack Yael's leg, but they're still holding hands and he refuses to let go. In fact, he gives Yael's hand a little squeeze. ]
I don't care about how far we walk along the beach. I don't care about swimming or running or doing any of that. You miss it, so I want to go, even if that means we stand near the ocean the whole time.
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Come on... Don't get so uptight. We're on a date, you know.
[CUT HIM SOME SLACK, but ah... Yuui's henpecking goes a long way, as it turns out. Behind every stubborn bastard is an even more stubborn bitch.]
Sounds like a plan. The beach is cold at night, so stay close. Got it?
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[ He laughs, but he squeezes Yael’s hand. His acquiescence certainly seems to brighten Yuui’s mood almost immediately. ]
You don’t have to tell me to stay close. I was going to do that anyway.
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[He wouldn't let Yuui get anywhere close to shivering out of existence. Still, maybe he should? Look at this smug motherfucker, easing up the instant he gets his way. If only Yael weren't so hopelessly infatuated with him..............]
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[ He gives Yael a look out of the corner of his eye, a hint of mischievousness present in the way his mouth curls into a soft smile. ]
Holding me isn’t against the agreement.
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Yael keeps that question to himself, but not the mischievous smile that accompanies it.]
You really are a tempter. But I'm sticking to my word, so don't count on any fondling.
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It's not my fault you're so easily tempted, Sheza~
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[You have no right to call this kettle black.
Pulling into the restaurant parking lot, Yael parks the car and hops out to open Yuui's door and offer him a hand. M'Yuui?]
Hope you brought your appetite. The portions are generous here.
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[ He takes Yael's hand like the dainty little princess that he is, but he's quick to pull it out of his grasp the moment they don't have the car to obscure them easily. ]
But I bet that I'll have plenty for leftovers too.
[ And that is exciting. ]
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You don't want to be seen as a couple in public?
[It's a simple, straightforward question without much emotion attached to it on Yael's end. Still, he knows how difficult it may be for Yuui to answer. Regardless, this is something he needs to know.]
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That isn't it. I'm not ashamed to be with you, or to be seen with you.
[ He doesn't want Yael to think that for even a second, so he tries to nip that in the bud immediately. ]
I didn't have an easy time before coming to this city. I've been followed, harassed, had things thrown at me... so I avoid doing anything in public without even thinking about it.
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Yael can't change the world. He can't stick his middle finger up on Yuui's behalf when the risk of retaliation looms on his mind. He acquiesces in silence, heading off in the direction of the restaurant.]
I get it. Don't think you've offended me.
[It's only a shame that no one is truly free to be their true, unvarnished selves in the eyes of the world.]
Let's enjoy the meal. We can do whatever we want when we're on our own later.
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Alright.
[ As they get to the restaurant proper, Yuui places a hand on Yael's elbow, holding him back for just a second. The look on his face is hard to read, purposefully so. ]
Thank you for understanding, Sheza.
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Yael pulls open the restaurant door and motions for Yuui to step inside. Placing his hand on his back, it lingers there for a moment.]
Yeah.
[He gets it. Gets Yuui. Following him inside, they're greeted and placed at a booth in a far corner of the restaurant and handed a couple menus. Yael's sat up straight, poking at Yuui's menu to impart him with his vast knowledge of Mediterranean food.]
Order that.
[Vast, vast knowledge. He's pointing at the Horiátiki Salata, a Greek salad with all the typical fixings in addition to black olives and feta cheese. A string bean like Yuui should have no problem with a relatively light dish like this.]
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Getting comfortable in his side of the booth, his gaze follows Yael's finger. ]
Oh, that looks good. [ Yael has made a very, very good choice. ] What are you getting for yourself?
[ He needs to know since he'll be sneaking food off of that plate. ]
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picking trains out of his hair
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